Holy Week · Holy (Maundy) Thursday
John 13:1-15 (34-35)
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
April 2, 2026
Overview & Insights
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” (John 13:14)
The new division in John’s Gospel is marked by a long, loosely connected, almost breathless comment by the narrator (vv. 1–3) in which he tries to gather up the themes of chapters 1–12 and 13–17 alike and use them as his stage setting. The first element in this setting has to do with time and circumstances: The notice that it was just before the Passover Feast (v. 1a) brings the temporal notices of 11:55 (“it was almost time”), 12:1 (“six days before”), and 12:12 (“the next day”) up to date. The further indication that the evening meal was being served (v. 2a) is a necessary minimum for making sense of verses 4–5. On the basis of the synoptic Gospels, the evening meal is commonly assumed to be Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, a Passover meal at which he instituted the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:12–26/Matt. 26:17–30/Luke 22:7–23; cf. vv. 21–30).
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Commentary
Commentary on John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reads the foot washing as the pattern of the new commandment to love.
John 13 Commentary: Jesus, the Loving Servant Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks the washing of the disciples' feet and the new command in detail.
John 13 Commentary Precept Austin
A study hub of Greek notes, cross references, and commentators on the upper room.
John 13:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic verse-level commentaries on Jesus loving his own to the end.
Remember, Maundy Thursday Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Episcopal sermon on remembrance and Jesus' command to love one another.
Background & Word Study
John - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's overview frames the Farewell Discourse that the foot washing opens.
John 13-21 Overview BibleProject
An animated walk through John's second half beginning with the upper room.
John 13:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek interlinear shows the wording of loving to the end and laying aside his garments.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Jesus wash the disciples' feet?
On the night he is betrayed Jesus rises, girds himself with a towel, and washes his disciples' feet, giving them the pattern and the new commandment to love.
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